Projects to revamp Rwanda’s water network set to begin

The water network project is part of the efforts to address the persistent water shortage in different suburbs of the capital. According to CEO of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), Aimé Muzola there is a three-year project to upgrade and rehabilitate water networks in Kigali.

He said that there currently are different projects for the purpose of increasing water volume. This will also go hand in hand with upgrading and expanding water networks. Muzola further clarified that the first phase of upgrading and rehabilitating old water networks will cover 502 kilometres. Meanwhile, they are also working on setting up new networks in a project. This will extend to over 1,000 with projected completion in the next three years.

The WASAC CEO explained that procurement process for the project has started. Nzove Water Treatment Plant is projected to add 15,000 cubic metres of water to Kigali city in the next two months. Currently Kigali gets 90,000 cubic meters per day. However, this is a shortfall of 30,000 cubic metres to the required amount.

Secondary cities

Muzola added that upgrading, rehabilitating and expanding water networks will continue in six secondary cities apart from Kigali. The project extension to secondary cities could also see the rehabilitation of about 393 (38%) dysfunctional water supply systems. According to WASAC this will require US $14.4m.

The Minister for Infrastructure James Musoni said that more projects are in the pipeline to curtail water shortage in the country. He also called for coordination between branches and the utility headquarters for efficiency.